In August 2011, a party of teenagers in Norway was attacked at night by a polar bear leading to the death of a seventeen-year-old boy and injuries to several others.

When a young person successfully completes a British Exploring Society expedition they are offered membership for life.

Each is asked to take on a personal fund-raising target based on a fair means test to support the work of the charity.

The charity works with a wide range of other organisations, for example Catch 22 to enable disadvantaged and excluded young people to undertake its expeditions.

Currently British Exploring collaborates with a range of scientific research institutions from universities and world-respected scientists and in-country NGOs and conservation organisations.